Delphos Museum News

Delphos, Kansas 67456

It is not so we live in the past, but so the past can live in the future.

The Delphos Museum is located at the southwest corner of the square, 101 North Washington St., Post office box 338, telephone 785-523-4540.

New Hours at the Museum are Monday 9-12, Tuesday 12-4, Wednesday Closed, Thursday Closed, Friday 9-12, Saturday 9-12 and 1-4 p.m. Appointments may be made at other times by calling, 785-523-4658, 785-523-4331 or 785-523-4306. 

NEWS

Grace Bedell Foundation

                                 A foundation has been formed in order to save the home  the                              home that  was built by Grace Bedell and her husband  band                           George N. Billings about 1880 after they moved to Delphos                      from their homestead northwest of Delphos. She is            r                                  remembered as the eleven year old girl from New York           w                                 who wrote the candidate Abraham Lincoln and suggested that he grow a beard. Lincoln replied by mail and did grow the beard and was elected the fourteenth president of the United States. In recent years another letter to the president was found, a letter that he may not have seen. A copy of it is in the Delphos Museum. 

The foundation has been organized by Karen Nettles, Sharon Snively and Duane Billings, Grace's great-grandson who grew up in Delphos. A website has been established at www.gracebedellfoundation.org. They are launching a contest for school children so that they will become more interested in local history and help raise money for the foundation. The campaign was featured on KAKE TV recently and the video can be viewed at Kake.com under Grace Bedell 

The contest can be found at 133.bay133.mail.live.com/mail/official_poster.htm. A book "Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers" by Karen Winnick is suggested reading. Contributions toward the saving of Grace's House may be sent to Grace Bedell Foundation, Box 321, Delphos, Kansas 67436

Halloween

Ghosts and goblins appeared at the Delphos Museum on Halloween. Twenty-seven children and adults came in costume for games and refreshments. The games included a scavenger hunt for items that were in the museum. There was a drawing contest for children from pre-school to fifth grade. Winners from youngest  to oldest were Brianna Snively, Grace Parks, Dakota Davis, Lyndsi Pudge, Paula Rolph, Heidi Pudge and Marina Hass.

The scavenger hunt list is available for any other group that might want to do it in the museum.  (Such as-find Sam T. Smith's first mail bag used to carry mail to the rural areas 1903 to 1910 or find a one horse plow) There are thirteen items in the hunt. 

DelFest

There were visitors to the museum during the annual DelFest August 11. The museum also cooperated in the presentation of a program on the expedition of Zebulon Pike in 1806. The presentation was given by Leo Oliva of Woodston. Ks, who has researched the expedition extensively and written numerous articles on the subject. He is active in the Solomon Valley-Hiway 24 Association. 

There is a limestone marker recognizing the expedition five miles west of Delphos on "Boyer Hill" from which the Solomon Valley and the towns of  Delphos, Glasco, Minneapolis, Salina, and Simpson can be seen on a clear day. The marker, built in the 1960's has been recently refurbished.

Zebulon Pike party camped at Lost Springs south west of Delphos one night and ythe next at Willow Springs near Glasco. They were on their way to the Pawnee Indian village in southern Nebraska to plant the American flag there.  

 New exhibit

A new exhibit has been located in the loft of the Delphos museum. It might be called a ladies exhibit as it features hats and clothing worn by some of the early residents. One is a Swedish costume worn by Mary Ballou's mother and sisters. It features a pink apron and stocking. The articles from the 1920's as well as furniture of the time.

Historic Houses in Delphos, Kansas 

This is the title given to to most recent book about Delphos by Donna Burough Opat. In this book thirty-two houses and their residents have been detailed and some of the early day builders. There is a picture or two of each house and comments by person who live or did live in them.. Copies of the book are available at the Delphos Museum, the Salina Museum or from the author. 

The other books about Delphos are "Delphos in the Solomon Valley" and "My Delphos in Kansas". These are also available at the museums and from the author. 

Annual Report 2007

The Annual report and membership letter was sent out in March. It reported that there have been some good contributions, but there is always a need. The repair continues to be a need. 

    *Sixty feet of the 114 foot roof continues to be in need of repair. The cost is estimated to be about six thousand dollars. Before this portion can be completed the west wall must be strengthened or replaced. 

    *Generous support is needed for Museum B remembered as the "Mullinax" building. The walls have be repointed and roof renewed. Most of the floor has been removed on the main floor and the second story also needs floor repair. It is a large building which could accomodate many more displays such as domestic displays, family historical items, local genealogical displays as well as more machinery.

    *There is more machinery to display and needs to be displayed properly. Some is crowed in to the lean to, some is stored in the country and there are some of substantial value that would be donated if there were space for them.  

    *The lots south of Big Riches belong to the Delphos Museum and another possibility is to erect a steel building there.

    *This space has also been considered a location for the former Lord/Cain elevator which was donated to the museum in 1998. It is one of the oldest elevators of this kind still standing in Kansas and needs to be moved. It will be another wonderful display.

    *There are many wonderful items on display in the original museum and the public is invited to tour. There is no admission charge. Donations are accepted.

    Monthly expenses amount to about $650.00 per month 

Membership is Twenty-five dollars a year and can be sent to Delphos Museum, Box 338, Delphos, Kansas 67436.

Billings Home

The original home of George and Grace Billings on North Custer street is now for sale. It is felt because of its connection with the history of Delphos it should be preserved. Again the thought of a museum display or possibly a bed and breakfast has been discussed. 

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Zebulon Pike Memorial    

The bicentennial of the exploration of Zebulon Pike was held Sunday, September 19, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pike Memorial Marker five and a half miles west of Delphos. At that time the Memorial was rededicated. The memorial was completed in the 1960's mainly through the efforts of Don Ballou and a group who were interested in Ottawa County history.

Zebulon Pike was in Ottawa county from September 8 to September 23 in 1806 on the first military exploration of the Louisiana Purchase in this area. He kept a diary of his exploration and continued on to Colorado where Pike's Peak was named for him. 

The Delphos Lions Club is providing funds for the needed repair of the monument. The cost will be about $3,400.

Fire Extinguisher

The Delphos Museum has a new fire extinguisher to exhibit. It a huge extinguisher that had been in the Glasco Booster Plant. The Asul Dry Chemical is complete with the operation manual. The huge tank (about ten gallons) is mounted on two iron wheels about four feet high. It can be moved by tipping it and has a pressure tank and hose. The last testing date is 12/94.

It was donated by Wilbur Moon who found it in the barn of his former residence. 

Flag Case

The large glass case with a flag which had been at the American Legion hall has been donated to the museum by Lamoine Baldock. The case was made by Jack Willars.

Barbed Wire collection

The Barbed wire collection made by Wayne and Luella Kiser has been loaned to the Delphos Museum by Dewayne Kiser. There are 446 different kinds of wire and a few tools. They are on display in the west room.

Antique Rocker

An antique glider rocker has been donated by Alberta Paramore. Some may remember when Mary Paramore sat on her porch in the mile north of where 5th street crosses the railroad tracks west of town waving at the passing traffic.

Newspaper items

Katie Jacques, PhD has compiled newspaper articles in several three ring binders. They include: Solomon Valley Pioneer published in Lindsey, Kansas 1870-1873.

Obituary and Death notices in The Sentinel August 5, 1875 to September 20, 1883; The Delphos Republican 1900 to 1909 ; in The Delphos Herald Carrier and Republican in 1879 to 1899 and The Delphos Republican 1910 to 1919.

 Hall Cemetery transcriptions of stones.

Katie is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Leo Allison. 

Death

Marjorie Cain , president of the Delphos Museum passed away April 15, 2006 at her home in Delphos. She held a meeting of the museum board in her home on March 15, having returned from the hospital and rehabilitation.    

She had celebrated her 90th birthday and had a long career as a cosmetologist. Beginning at 17 years of age she worked for 73. She retired from Marjories Beauty in 1996. She was devoted to her family and the community including the museum and the preservation of Delphos History. She was the widow of Howard Cain and the mother of Brent and Candice.  Her funeral was April  21 at the First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Franklyn Schroeder officiating. Private inurnment was in the the Delphos Cemetery.     .

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Projects

        There are projects underway to mark places of interest in Delphos. The first is the marking of the place of of the marriage of Melborn Stone's (Doc on TV's GUNSMOKE) to Nellie Morrison of Delphos, the Presbyterian Church. Second is a memorial commemorating the capture of Anna Morgan in the last Indian raid in 1868 and returned by General Custer. Other places will be added later. 

New Acquisitions 

The State Bank of Delphos who will celebrate 125 years of service this year had donated a ten key adding machine. This was put in service in March 27, 1905.

A 1918 Ottawa County Atlas has been donated by Paul Foltz, son of the late Pauline Jermark. It is available to look up owners of farmland during that time.

There are old Delphos Republicans available to review. Also cemetery records, scrapbooks, notebooks and other articles available to those interested in genealogy.

President's Day

President's Day which was originally celebrated separately as President Abraham Lincoln's birthday February 12 was celebrated at the museum with games, refreshments and showing of the video of two plays about the Delphos connection. For many years there was local publicity about the little girl who encouraged the candidate Lincoln to wear a beard to look more mature. Of course he won the election. The letter from Lincoln to Grace Bedell was stored in the State Bank of Delphos for many years. Grace Bedell married George Billings who founded that bank.

The hour long plays were shown and are still available  to be seen at the museum. They are "Lincoln's Whiskers" produced in 1997 and "Early Days of Grace Bedell Billings", both written by Delta Hiner who was a friend of Grace.  

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Family Histories

Several residents of Delphos shared their family history with The Glasco Sun/Delphos Republican. Among them is Robert Mortimer.

THE MORTIMER FAMILY HISTORY

The Mortimers of the Glamis, Scotland branch of Mortimers are from the Norman blood. Our ancestors emigrated to England from France with William the Conquerer when he conquered England. His followers were rewarded with castles and positions high in government, remaining the rule of England.

The Mortimers later emigrated to many other countries in Europe. Our branch emigrated up the east coast of Scotland to Farlington, Scotland. There are still remains of the castle. At some time in the 16th century they sold the land and holdings there. Many of them stayed in the area becoming stone masons and farmers.

My great grandfather Samuel Mortimer also became a stone mason. Samuel and his wife, Lillian raised a family of eleven children in a two room Croft which had a loft above. Samuel later built a home in Glamis. Scotland. Ten of the eleven children emigrated to the United States.

My grandfather Robert, the youngest of the eleven, also a stone mason by trade emigrated to Capetown, South Aftrica and helped build a bridge across the Orange River at Allwell. Grandfather did not like the harsh live in Africa and returned to England.

It was not easy to make a living in Scotland at that point so he emigrated to Denver, Colorado. Grandfather worked at his trade there and in time had enough money for Grandmother's passage. She came over with her two daughters, Lillian, 7 years old and Belle, a babe in arms. Elizabeth and my father, Robert were born in Colorado. Two children had died previously. David at at one and a half years and was buried in Glamia Kirk year in Scotland and another daughter died in infancy in Allwell, near Capetown, South Aftrica.

In the late 1880's Robert moved his family to the Delphos area where two of his brothers, David and James,  lived. Grandfather built the brown stone house on the hill three miles west of Delphos. Grandfather died in 1898 at the age of 45 years.

 In the years that followed Lillian, Belle and Elizabeth became school teachers. Lillian taught for 29 years and became Ottawa County Superintendent of Schools. Belle married John Nelson, Elizabeth married Clarence Parker and Robert married Sophia Stelter.  

I, Robert was born February 18, 1920 in the brown stone house west of Delphos. I attended school in Delphos, served three year and eight months in World War II. I married Betty Emley and four children were born to us. They are Emley Arin, Robert David, John Scott and Craig Aaron. I have nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

After Betty's death I married Charlene Belden Schmidt. She also has nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Our life is good! Bob Mortimer

 From Sweden to the U. S. A. and Delphos

by Neva Marie Johnson Yager

From the Glasco Sun/Delphos Republican

My maternal grandparents were Henning and Elin Larson who came to the Delphos area from Sweden in 1905. They farmed southwest of Delphos. My mother, Lillie was the oldest of their four daughters.

The parents of my father, Simon lived in Sweden. Their names were Johan and Sofia Sjoo. Six of their eleven children came to the United States at different times. Their name was changed from Sjoo to Johnson. One son returned to Sweden in 1921, then my father came to Delphos in 1922 when he was 16 years old.

He went to Cleveland where he worked on a boat on the Great Lakes with his brother, Gust, for a while. Then he came back to Delphos. My parents were married in 1927 and farmed southwest of Delphos until they moved to town in 1973. My mother died in 1990 and my father in 1995.

I went to grade school at Clifton, Dist 21 and Rose Hill, Dist 55 in Ottawa County, then to Delphos High School. After teaching and attending summer school for many years and one year residence, I graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg. The schools I taught elementary grades were: Sand Hill Dist. 47; Bohemian Dist. 74; Culver; St. Paul's Lutheran School in Herington; Formosa; and Jewell for a total of 24 years.

Roger Yager and I were married in 1975 and have lived in Beloit, Minneapolis and Delphos. We now live in Delphos in the the house where my parents lived at 310 N. Michigan.

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